Was Your VA Disability Benefits Claim Denied?
Your local regional VA office will review your application for disability benefits and send you a ratings decision. If you believe this disability rating is too low or your effective date is incorrect, you can appeal. Our attorneys can help you prepare a Notice of Disagreement requesting a personal hearing and second case review. If you are denied again, we can appeal your claim to your VA regional office.
The Law Offices of Coats & Todd provides representation to veterans in San Antonio and throughout Texas who need to appeal their VA disability benefits claims in federal court. We have attorneys who are accredited by the VA to handle your claim. For a free initial consultation, please call 800-856-1031 or contact us online today.
Appealing a VA Claim
Should the regional office deny your claim, we can appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA). In most situations, the BVA will base its decision on a review of the record of your case from the regional office, although you may submit new evidence at this time. The BVA may decide to:
- Award benefits to you
- Remand your case to the regional office for further review
- Affirm the regional office decision
You may appeal the BVA's decision to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (USCAVC) within 120 days. This is the end of the administrative process and the beginning of a civil action handled in U.S. Federal Court.
Most often, when appeals reach the USCAVC, it is because the BVA made an error of law. The USCAVC reviews the claim to determine whether the BVA followed proper procedures when making its determination. The USCAVC may remand the claim to the BVA for additional consideration or deny your appeal.
You may appeal this decision in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, but appealing at this level is rare. While possible, it is even rarer for a claim to be appealed to the United States Supreme Court.
Contact a San Antonio VA Appeals Lawyer
To make an appointment, please call 800-856-1031. We represent veterans in the San Antonio area as well as those who live in other states. Your initial consultation is free.
